40°
The First Lady is taking a high-profile stand against deepfake pornography and online sexual exploitation, calling on lawmakers to pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a bipartisan bill that would criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate images (NCII), including AI-generated content, according to Congressional records.
Trump, alongside Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), hosted a bipartisan roundtable discussion Monday, March 3, where victims and advocates shared gut-wrenching stories about how AI-generated pornography and revenge porn have destroyed lives.
“The widespread presence of abusive behavior in the digital domain affects the daily lives of our children, families, and communities,” Melania Trump said.
Her mission? Protecting young people from online harm.
“In today’s AI-driven world, the threat of privacy breaches is alarmingly high,” Trump warned. “It is imperative that we save our children from mean-spirited and hurtful online behavior. Ensuring their protection is not just a responsibility.”
The TAKE IT DOWN Act, officially called the "Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act," aims to put serious legal consequences on anyone who creates, distributes, or refuses to remove non-consensual intimate images, according to the bill text introduced in the Senate.
Under the proposed law, it would be:
- Illegal to publish or share NCII, including AI-generated deepfake pornography, per Section 2 of the bill.
- Mandatory for websites and social media platforms to remove NCII within 48 hours of a victim’s request, according to Section 3.
- A federal crime to knowingly distribute explicit deepfake images of a minor, carrying prison sentences of up to three years, per the bill’s penalties section.
A requirement for the Federal Trade Commission to enforce compliance, allowing victims to hold platforms accountable, per Section 3(b).
“This bill ensures accountability for those who exploit others online,” Trump said.
During the roundtable, lawmakers pledged to push the bill forward—but Trump made it clear that awareness alone isn’t enough.
“Addressing this issue is essential for fostering a safe and supportive environment for our young people,” Trump said. “I hope today’s discussion will not only bring awareness to the harm caused by non-consensual intimate images but also push Congress toward approving the TAKE IT DOWN Act.”
The bipartisan support for the bill continues to grow.
“As the dark side of technology advances, these unspeakable evils become part of the culture, and the law has to keep up,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said.
“This bill is sending a very big message to Big Tech that they have to bring these images down,” Rep. Salazar added. “No more time. No more excuses.”
Victims of deepfake pornography shared heartbreaking stories about the devastating impact of these violations.
“I came here today to not only promote this bill but to fight for the freedom of so many survivors,” Elliston Berry, a high school advocate, said.
“Millions of people—male, female, teenage, children—are affected by this rise in image-based sexual abuse,” she added.
For South Carolina State Rep. Brandon Guffey, the fight is personal. His son, Gavin, took his own life after being targeted by online predators.
“With something such as TAKE IT DOWN, it would allow families to have those images removed and to have the voice that my son did not have,” Guffey said.
The House of Representatives is expected to take up the bill soon, following its unanimous approval in the Senate, according to Congressional records.
If passed, the TAKE IT DOWN Act will be one of the most significant federal protections against digital sexual exploitation, per the bill’s text.
Trump made one final push, making it clear this isn’t just about policy—it’s about justice for victims and protection for future generations.
“Pass this bill. Take action,” the First Lady said. “This ends now.”
Click here to follow Daily Voice West Islip and receive free news updates.
